The series of events "Nuclear Free Now" in Tokyo and Fukushima successfully took place on the days around December 15-16, 2012.

In Tokyo's Hibiya Park and surrounds, over 5500 people participated, including 25 international speakers from 9 countries. The Global Conference for a Nuclear Power Free World 2 ended with the announcement of the 'Tokyo Declaration for A Nuclear Power Free Future.' This declaration highlights the need for a mechanism to facilitate stern scrutiny of nuclear regulation authorities by civil society; the urgency to put in place further assistance for those affected by the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster including measures to minimise exposure to radiation and the establishment of an assistance plan for children and victims based on the Act on the Protection and Support for the Children and other Victims of TEPCO Disaster passed in the Diet in June 2012; and calls for concrete moves to create a decentralized society that successfully encourages energy conservation and renewable energy.

In Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, events coinciding with the 'Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety' co-sponsored by the Government of Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including a symposium by the Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan network, a public gathering by the Fukushima Action Project, and the direct submission of citizen's demands to a spokesperson of the IAEA in front of the Ministerial Conference Venue.

Also at the same time as these events, the Lower House Elections in Japan took place on December 16, bringing the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) back into government. Having gathered support because of citizen's dissatisfaction with the prolonged economic downturn, the new LDP Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has made clear his stance to withdraw the previous Democratic Party Government's policy of nuclear phase-out. However, as seen by the success of Nuclear Free Now, the Japanese people are strongly in favour of a nuclear free society. Debate on nuclear policy and conflict between public opinion and the government will continue to be a major issue in Japan.

Background

The TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of 2011 has shown us all the reality that nuclear power cannot be controlled. More and more people are now calling for a nuclear power free society, and the Japanese government announced in its new energy strategy the policy to aim for zero nuclear power. However, various political and financial vested interests oppose this important step, and the Japanese general election scheduled for December 16, 2012 may further endanger this fragile commitment. The action of individual citizens is crucial in order to realize a nuclear power free society - and this will be possible if people from diverse backgrounds work together in cooperation. “Nuclear Free Now” aims to be one step towards the realization of this nuclear power free world, built upon the basis of utilization of renewable energies.

Simultaneous to the “Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety”

The "Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety" will be held by the Government of Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on December 15-17 in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is said that the IAEA is planning to establish a research centre on decontamination and the effects of radiation within Fukushima Prefecture. This conference is being held under the name of nuclear “safety” - yet it must not be allowed to merely prolong the life span of the nuclear power industry and neglect the health and rights of those affected by the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Leaders and experts from around the world will gather in Fukushima for this meeting, and we will use this opportunity to stand together with those affected by the nuclear power plant accident to tell the world the reality and lessons of Fukushima, and call for a nuclear power free world.

What is Nuclear Free Now?

Nuclear Free Now is an international, participatory event that was held simultaneously in both Tokyo (Hibiya Park and surrounds) and Fukushima (Koriyama City). It is a comprehensive event that incorporated the following content.

EVENTS IN TOKYO

Nuclear Free Now Global Conference for a Nuclear Power Free World 2

Following on from the Global Conference for a Nuclear Power Free World, held in Yokohama in January 2012 with more than 11,500 people from 30 countries participating, a second international citizens' conference was held with the aims of realizing the abolition of nuclear power and creating a society based instead on sustainable, renewable energy. Information about the January 2012 conference can be seen here.

Full programme for Tokyo online. See here for a PDF with details on each session, speakers and more!

When

December 15-16 (Sat & Sun)

Venue

Tosho Hall, Iino Hall and Conference Center (Room A) (Hibiya)

Themes

Several sessions on each of the themes of Nuclear Power Regulation, Lessons from Chernobyl, and Building a Nuclear Free Society took place. See the above PDF for details!

Speakers

International experts on energy, radiation and health, nuclear issues and more were joined by speakers from Fukushima and all over Japan - see the above linked file for full details.

Simultaneous English/Japanese interpretation was provided throughout the conference.

Nuclear Free Now Organizing Committee, together with the Metropolitan Coalition Against Nukes

Please bring appropriate clothes in the case of rain.

Details of the demonstration may change, so please check the web site for most up to date information.

Please participate with any placards or other items related to nuclear free now!

Please refrain from any particular advertisement of particular groups or religious organisations.

The demonstration departure point is expected to be very crowded, so please refrain from handing out flyers or collecting petitions there.

Please follow the information from staff on the day.

Thank you for your cooperation in working together with the organizers.

Citizen's Plaza

No more dependence on nuclear power, gathering for Japan's future, the power of citizens, the power of society. Together with renewable energy, for the real reconstruction and participatory democracy!

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11 2011, civil society in Japan has grown significantly. Tens of thousands of people have gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Residence to demonstrate, and even the government has taken steps in the move away from dependence on nuclear power. The Nuclear Free Now “Citizens' Plaza” was a space where citizens, NGOs and NPOs can gather and together with the government, media, corporations and broader society consider how the potential for real participatory democracy can be expanded, and how a new vision for the creation of a truly sustainable society, alongside the recovery of the disaster affected regions of Tohoku and Japan, can be born.

EVENTS IN FUKUSHIMA

Fukushima Action Project

A citizens' gathering and related events were held in Koriyama City at the same time as the "Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety" organized by the Government of Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This was organized by a group of local citizens gathered as the "Fukushima Action Project," aiming to learn what this governmental conference is about, and raise their concerns. A series of preparatory events and actions towards the IAEA are took place.

A detailed PDF programme of the events in Koriyama is available here, including the programme of the Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan Symposium (Dec 15) and Fukushima Action Project Citizens' Gathering (December 16).

Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan

The “Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan” network was launched in April 2012, following the Global Conference for a Nuclear Power Free World held in Yokohama in January 2012. At this time, there are 80 members from 36 prefectures throughout Japan. The network held a symposium to coincide with the IAEA and Japanese Government Ministerial Conference in Koriyama as follows:

When

13:00-16:30, December 15 (Sat)

Venue

3F Great Hall, Koriyama City Labour Welfare Hall

Contents

Symposium of the “Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan”

Participants

Mayors and municipal representatives from the Mayors for a Nuclear Power Free Japan network. Mayors and municipal leaders from within Fukushima Prefecture were are also invited. Open to members of the public for observation.